A MOTHER was killed when an empty car rolled down a hill and crushed her.

Rita Thompson, 45, was walking down a dirt track when the freak accident happened.

Mrs Thompson, of Ashton, had been shopping with her sister. Both had passed the car parked on Field Street in Bredbury, Stockport, and had their backs to the vehicle when it began to roll down a slight incline towards them.

Mrs Thompson became trapped under the car and died later at Stockport's Stepping Hill Hospital, despite attempts to save her.

It is thought her sister, who works for a care home for the elderly in Bredbury, suffered minor injuries after being clipped by the car.

Mrs Thompson's family paid tribute to her today, describing her as devoted to her family which included two children, five sisters and three brothers and several nieces and nephews.

In a statement, they said: "She was the life and soul and loved by everybody. She was a very generous person. They broke thet mould when they made her."

Police are appealing for witnesses to the tragedy which happened at 3.55pm on Saturday.